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April 8
We begin our reading of 1 Samuel today...chapters 1,2,3.
All of 1st and 2nd Samuel is a revelation from God of the life and work of Samuel, Saul, and David...a period covering 135 years.
Much of what we will read will foreshadow plainly the life and ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Israel was at a “very” low point spiritually. The priesthood was corrupt. The Ark of the Covenant was not in the Tabernacle. Idolatry was practiced. And the judges were dishonest.
God was about to turn that around. And He would use a young boy, who would grow in his pursuit of the Lord, to expedite the work of God’s righteous power, wisdom, mercy, and grace.
Now to the text...Before we get to boy Samuel, we read about Samuel’s mother who was full of the grace of God. And how do we know that? We see it in her suffering.
She was mocked and spoken evil of because she couldn't give her husband a child. And how did she respond to her tormentors? Quietly...without a word from her lips...Hannah spoke “in her heart” to the Lord...And God blessed her...with a son, Samuel.
I cannot help but remember my Savior...Jesus...” full of grace and truth”...responding to His tormentors with silence...and forgiveness...like a lamb to the slaughter...not a word...except to the Father...for your salvation and mine. Praise His Name!
Hannah was full of the grace of God... God’s power for “faithfulness to God”...even when He did not choose to give her children for so many years.
Was it hard? Sure it was! Even her husband saw her sorrowful countenance at times. But she never lost hope in God...whether it meant He was going to give her children “ or not “.
Please let us remember Jesus praying in the garden on the night that He was betrayed. He was full of grace and truth. Was betrayal by a close friend hard? Sure it was! But what does grace do?
“Father let this cup pass from Me...but not my will but Yours be done.”
Hannah was full of the grace of God. And we see it in her sacrifice to God. She promised God, that if He should choose to give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord for His use only. And she did. After weening the child, she made a trip to Shiloh and gave her son to Eli the High Priest to learn from him and serve God by serving Eli.
Samuel was her offering to the Lord. A living sacrifice indeed. That’s grace. Please let us “Remember” JESUS hanging on the cross...full of grace and truth...giving Himself to the Father and into the hands of His executioners, as a sacrifice for our salvation.
Hannah gave her son to save Israel. God the Father gave His son to save the world of sinners who believe. Hannah showed grace to a nation. But Jesus showed grace to the world!
Jesus is still better...believe Him!
Have a great day
